Sally G. Rideout is a recognized and respected public affairs professional with more than 30 years of public and private sector experience. She became the 2nd youngest woman ever elected to the Indiana House of Representatives when she defeated the Speaker of the House in an upset election in 1994. After her term in office, she worked at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, the University of Evansville, the Evansville Chamber of Commerce, and the global aluminum manufacturer, Alcoa, before launching Rideout Public Affairs, Inc. (RPA) in 2013.

Rideout serves on the University of Evansville Board of Trustees and led the Search Committee for the University's 24th President. She recently completed a term as President of the Ascension St. Vincent Evansville Board and has been active with the Women's Fund of Warrick County.

Rideout's community work has been recognized with the 2007 Evansville area ATHENA Award, the University of Evansville 2008 Outstanding Young Alumna, and the 2007 Business Leader of the Year from the Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity at the University of Evansville.

Rideout earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Evansville and is a graduate of the US Chamber's Institute for Organizational Managment (IOM). She now lives in Newburgh where she spends free time on the golf course, traveling, and tending to her cats, who frequently make guest appearances during virtual meetings.

20+ years

Josh Hughes is a Senior Vice President, lobbyist and attorney at Capitol Consulting. He brings to Capitol Consulting a solid reputation with over 15-years of experience as a Capitol insider with extensive knowledge of the legislative process and policymakers. Over the years, Josh's network of contacts has provided his clients with access to all levels of state government in the legislative, administrative and executive branches. He has a reputation of working tirelessly to achieve successful results for the clients he is privileged to serve.

During his State Capitol lobbying career Josh has provided leadership and strategic advice to numerous corporations, state and national associations as well as nonprofit organizations including Tesla Motors Inc., Caterpillar, the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Greenskies Renewable Energy, the Association of American Publishers, the Corporation for Battery Recycling (Duracell, Panasonic and Energizer), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Splunk Inc., alcohol retailers, distillers and wholesalers. Josh also continues to work with legislative campaigns in both parties bolstering the bipartisan connections of the firm.

Before becoming a State Capitol lobbyist, while in law school Josh was an intern with CB Richard Ellis commercial real estate in New York City. Prior to that Josh worked in the sales department of John Hancock Mutual Funds in Boston. In addition, he was on the account team of Ingall's Advertising.

Josh received his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Literature with a minor in Environmental Studies from Hartwick College. He received a Juris Doctorate degree from Quinnipiac University School of Law.

20+ years

Indiana State Bar Association, Legislative Committee - Past Chair
Indiana Society of Association Executives, Governmental Affairs Committee - Co Chair
CKC Member - Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis
Governmental Affairs Society of Indiana - Board of Directors
Columbia Club

Continual presence before House and Senate Environmental Affairs Committees. Several years of experience with Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

For nearly 30 years, Patrick Bennett has represented business interests as a lobbyist before state government. In both the legislative and regulatory arenas, he is known as a trusted source of information and a tireless advocate. Bennett joined Rideout Public Affairs in January of 2023 when the opportunity to work with long-time friend, Sally Rideout, came up.

Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University and a Juris Doctorate from the IU McKinney School of Law School. He has represented trade associations for manufacturing, home building, waste and recycling.

A native Hoosier, raised in Crawfordsville, Bennett resides in Brown County. There he enjoys hunting, fishing, kayaking and spending time with his wife and the family dogs.

15-20 years

Steve Wise joined the Firm in 2002 and became a partner in 2008. Early in his career with the Firm he was recognized by the The Gazette as one of the "Rising Stars" of the State House lobbying corps, and he has consistently ranked among the top earning lobbyists in Annapolis since that time.

Steve represents a diverse group of clients before the General Assembly and State agencies, including trade associations and companies in the alcoholic beverage, insurance, gaming, health care, telecommunications and environmental industries.

Mr. Wise's legal practice focuses on administrative law and regulatory matters. He has appeared before the Liquor Boards in 16 of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions and before the Office of the Comptroller, representing alcoholic beverage licensees on licensing and enforcement matters. Steve also represents health care professionals in licensing and disciplinary proceedings before the Board of Physicians, insurance producers and premium finance companies before the Insurance Administration, and has represented maritime-related industries before the Department of Natural Resources. Steve has appeared in many of the State's Circuit Courts, and litigated cases both before the Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals.

Steve received his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1991 and his Masters degree in Public Administration in 1994, both from Florida State University. He graduated cum laude from the University Of Baltimore School Of Law in 2001, and he is admitted to the Maryland State Bar as well as the U.S. District Court for Maryland. Mr. Wise was born and raised on Maryland's Eastern Shore in Denton, and now resides in Annapolis with his wife Amy and twin sons.

20+ years

Liz Connelly joins Capitol Consulting as a Government Relations Associate after more than six years on staff in the Connecticut General Assembly. Liz began her tenure with House Democrats as a top advisor to then House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz (Berlin and Southington). When Rep. Aresimowicz was elected Speaker of the House, Liz was then promoted to Senior Legislative and Communications Advisor to Speaker of the House. During her time as a senior advisor to the Speaker, Liz developed and maintains a wide network of legislators, state agency, staff and advocacy organizations. In addition, she was responsible for dealing and negotiating with numerous business and industry representatives on behalf of the Speaker. Liz brings to Capitol Consulting a strong work ethic and a clear understanding of the legislative process to immediately assist Capitol Consulting's clients. In addition to lobbying directly for the firm's numerous clients, Liz will manage the firm's social media presence, assist in the firm's marketing for new business and maintain the firm's bill tracking system.

Prior to working in the legislature, Liz served as a Communications and Media Coordinator at The Governor's Prevention Partnership, a nonprofit organization that builds and offers youth prevention programs to prevent substance misuse and bullying.

Liz received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut, where she double majored in political science and journalism.